TRENTON As kids play, jump and leap into the refreshing Hetzel Pool, danger lurks nearby; branches of poison sumac plants and a leaky foudation under the pool.

“I told them that this pool is dangerous and not ready to be opened,” said Coucilman George Muschal. “The lifeguards are not paying attention, the poison plants are growing and there is a huge hole in the fence.”

The Councilman, worried about injuries and potential lawsuits, keeps a watchful eye on the olympic size pool. “All we need is a child to sneak into the pool at night, through that huge hole, and if that kid drowns we will be slapped with another lawsuit.”

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According to parents who were enjoying a fun day in the sun, they were not aware of the potential dangers which surrounded the pool, including the poison sumac which grows nearby, “I didn’t know that was there,” said Stafford Knowles, 40. “I am going to make sure my son stays away from the plants now, wish they would have told me before you did.”

Lifeguards were also just as shocked to hear about the plants growing along the fence edge, which can potentially irritate exposed skin that comes in contact with the leaves. Kadija Corbett, 18, has been a lifeguard at the Hetzel Pool for several years, “I didn’t even know those plants were dangerous,” she said. “Now that I know I will tell the kids to stay away.”

According to lifeguards, the large hole in the fence is temporarily fixed with wire ties which are subsequently cut every night and the leak in the pool’s foundation is not large enough to be of any concern.

Mayor Tony Mack, who now oversees the Trenton Department of Recreation, Natural Resources and Culture that oversees all public pools, did not provide any comment regarding the safety concerns nor did he provide any insight into when city pools like the Calhoun Park Pool, which is currently empty and closed, is expected to open.